Team Assessing Options to Contain Langille Fire
Incident: Langille Wildfire
Released: 8/2/2009
The Northern Rockies Wildfire Management Team is actively managing all opportunities to suppress the Langille fire using a confine-contain management strategy.
The 296 acre fire started from lightning July 27 between Yellowjacket and McCoy Creeks, 17 miles south of Randle. The fire is on extremely steep, little-traveled mountains. Safety prevents firefighters from working near the fire, on its heavily timbered slopes under McCoy Peak. Rolling material is starting new fires many feet below, which burn upward into the main fire. Heavy helicopter water bucket drops will be used where they are effective.
Air resources alone cannot stop the growth of the Langille fire, even though the fire has spread mainly by backing, smoldering, and rolling material, with individual trees torching. Local communities can expect the Langille fire to percolate for weeks to come. Smoke may visit the Cispus and Cowlitz valleys for many weeks ahead.
The Team is identifying values at risk, and natural barriers (rock slopes, barren ridges, open valleys and roads) where they can safely confine and contain the fire, and is preparing a long-term management plan for the Ranger District. This plan will outline fire management resources needed in weeks to come, and will anticipate weather's effects on the fire.
Values at risk include the Burley Mountain lookout and electronics site, and planned timber sale areas in Yellowjacket Creek.
Road and Trail Closures
To reduce threats to public safety, the forest has closed Forest Road 2809 toward Langille Peak, Road 2810 on the south portion of Yellowjacket Creek, Langille Ridge Trail #259 and #259A, Yellowjacket Trail #1A, and the Rough Trail #283.
Initial Attack by Cowlitz Valley Ranger District
Saturday an engine reached and worked a new smoke, the 1/10 acre Juicy fire above the 4710 Road northwest of Packwood.
Fifty firefighters continue to mop up the Riverview fire above La Wis Wis. Smoke from that 28 acre timber fire has impacted La Wis Wis Campground and Mt. Rainier National Park's Ohanapecosh area several mornings.
Crews Sunday are working the ½ acre Skate Mountain fire, and the 1/10 acre Cortright fire, north of Packwood. Three remaining fires include the Langille fire, the 1 acre Grassy 2 fire on Grassy Mountain northeast of Randle, and the 1 acre South Point fire in rocks and cliffs east of Packwood. A Type 1 heavy helicopter is dropping water to stop any growth of the latter two fires.
Since lightning on July 27, crews staffed or managed by Cowlitz Valley Ranger District attacked 21 fires, said Assistant Fire Management Officer Tom Griffith. Eleven fires are out cold or controlled (have warm spots but no possibility of growing again). Seven fires were unconfirmed (couldn't be found by air or ground).
